The purchase of your home is likely to be the single largest financial transaction you make in your lifetime which is why we are committed to ensuring that your transaction is handled professionally and thoroughly from beginning to end. We are committed to providing a speedy professional service without cutting corners to make buying your new home AS SAFE AS HOUSES. The solicitors at this firm are experts in the field of property law and you can rest assured that your matter will be handled in its entirety by a fully qualified solicitor. We do not employ unqualified clerks as we are sure that you would not wish that a transaction as important as this be carried out by an unqualified person. This may not be the case with all other firms. After all, you may one day want to move on and if all legal maters have been dealt with correctly at the time of your purchase, you are not likely to encounter any legal problems at the time that you sell. We pride ourselves on receiving a very high rate of repeat instructions from satisfied clients. We have access to an online conveyancing search provider and we are able to obtain land registry information, plans, environmental searches, coal mining searches instantaneously. We are fully aware of the importance of information technology in today’s world and we are sure that our having access to these facilities will ensure that your transaction is handled as smoothly and speedily as possible. Our role as Solicitors is to be at the heart of the moving process, and look after your best interests throughout. By providing clear, independent advice, we can guide you through the process of buying or selling your property and make the process as quick, efficient and stress free as possible. Selling your Home: The legal processes involved in selling your home are relatively straightforward. We will:- Obtain the deeds from your mortgage lender (if you have one) Send a draft Contract to the Buyer’s Solicitor and answer enquiries raised Prepare an up to date redemption figure for your mortgage Redeem the mortgage and send the net proceeds of the sale to you (or put them towards the purchase of your new home) Buying your Home: This is more complicated because here we will be seeking to ensure that the house that you buy does not involve you in any unforeseen disputes over rights of way, boundaries, fences, restrictive covenants, road charges or other legal problems. No two situations will ever be alike, but below is a brief guide to the conveyancing process and how it works for you Step 1 Decide what you want, and what you can afford We will advise you on likely costs, which will help plan your budget. Step 2 Once you have found a suitable property The Seller’s Agent will advise us on the terms of the purchase and provide details of the Sellers and their legal representatives. The Seller’s Solicitors will send us details of their client’s deeds and a draft Contract. We will then prepare a report for you, along with copies of all relevant papers, explaining all the important points and matters of which you should be aware. Step 3 A Local Authority Search A Local Authority Search will be carried out and this ensures for example that there are no road or other proposals affecting the property or breaches of planning or building laws. Step 4 A Survey of the Property Whether or not you have a mortgage, you should have a Survey of the Property. We will advise you on what sort of Survey you should obtain and where appropriate will act on your Surveyor’s advice to ensure that any relevant matters are covered in the Contract. You should also make sure that your buildings insurance is ready to go on risk – normally with effect from exchange of Contracts. Step 5 Exchange of Contracts Once the paperwork is ready and you are happy with it and we are happy that all legal matters are adequately dealt with, you will be ready to sign the Contract and provide a cheque for the deposit. Exchange of Contracts can then take place. Once this has taken place, both Buyer and Seller are bound and cannot withdraw without severe penalties. At the same time, a completion date is agreed – usually between two and four weeks after exchange of Contracts. Step 6 After the Exchange We will carry out any final searches at the Land Registry and Land Charges Department. A financial statement is prepared and sent to you, showing any balance required for you to complete. A Transfer Deed is also prepared, agreed and signed. If you have not already done so you will now sign the Mortgage Deed. Step 7 Completion On the day of completion The balance of the price is paid by electronic funds transfer to the Seller’s Solicitor The keys will be released to you The deeds of the property will be sent to us Step 8 After Completion Even after completion there are still matters which need to be dealt with, such as, paying stamp duty and registering the transfer into your name. All of these matters will be dealt with on your behalf.